Talk of privatizing Sparta Schools busing draws a crowd

SPARTA — The possibility of privatizing the school district’s busing service drew about 60 people to a board meeting Monday, after many who are against the plan picketed along State Street and passed out literature and buttons.

“Some of those kids, we’re their safe home,” bus driver Dee Chirco told the board. “Ask any of the parents — they know that the drivers know the kids.”

Other drivers and parents pleaded with the board to keep district-hired drivers so young students have consistency and stability.

Superintendent Kent Swinson said he received three bids for busing: from the district’s own unionized drivers, from Cedar Springs Public Schools and from a business, Michigan Educational Transportation Services, of Portland.

He did not share the amounts of the bids, saying he is still interviewing the bidders to fully understand the services offered and fairly compare them. He plans to make a recommendation to the board later this month.

Swinson requested bids to see if the district could save significant money as the state is poised to reduce funding.

Several parents at the meeting told the board the current drivers take good care of students, easing worries.

One said the district should spend down its comfortable fund balance to ensure children keep their drivers. A former driver asked the board to consider seeking a new millage, saying the community has always pulled through.

Swinson said if the district makes no cuts in next school year’s budget, the fund balance would be exhausted by the end of that year. That, after the district expects to spend down reserves by $1.6 million this year.

He based estimates on separate bills the state House and Senate passed. Depending on how the bills get worked out, Sparta stands to run a deficit of $3.3 million to $4.5 million.
“Everyone says education is a priority. Neither of those bills make education a priority,” Swinson said.

He said no one would have imagined a few years ago cuts of some $400 per student, while businesses get tax breaks and the state demands districts pay more for retirement insurance.
To maintain a fund balance of about 7 percent of annual expenses, the district will need to cut $2 million, he said.

The board started that process Monday when it approved laying off 38 staff members and informing seven returning retirees with annual contracts that their positions may be cut.
Swinson said he hopes to recall at least some of the teachers after more is known about the budget.

Board member James Kerby said the reductions will be disruptive to education. “It’s going to be a stark reality,” he said.